In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Standin' in the door of the Pink Flamingo cryin' in the rain
It was a kind of so-so love
And I'm gonna make sure it never happens again
You and I, it had to be the standing joke of the year
You were a sleep-around, a lost and found and not for me, I feel
I tried to make it work, you in a cocktail skirt
And me in a suit but it just wasn't me
You're used to wearing less
And now your life's a mess, so insecure you see
I put up with all the scenes
And this is one scene that's goin' to be played my way
Take your hands off me, hey
I don't belong to you, you see
And take a look in my face, for the last time,
I never knew you, you never knew me,
Say hello goodbye,
Say hello and wave goodbye
Under the deep red light
I can see the make-up slidin' down
Hey little girl you will always make up
So take off that unbecoming frown
What about me, well, I'll find someone
That's not goin' cheap in the sales
A nice little housewife, who'll give me a steady life
And won't keep going off the rails
Take your hands off me
I don't belong to you, you see
Take a look in my face, for the last time
I never knew you, you never knew me
Say hello goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
We've been involved for quite a while now
And to keep you a secret, has been hell
We're strangers meeting for the first time, ok?
Just smile and say hello
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello, wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello, say goodbye
Goodbye
Say goodbye
Goodbye
It was a kind of so-so love
And I'm gonna make sure it never happens again
You and I, it had to be the standing joke of the year
You were a sleep-around, a lost and found and not for me, I feel
I tried to make it work, you in a cocktail skirt
And me in a suit but it just wasn't me
You're used to wearing less
And now your life's a mess, so insecure you see
I put up with all the scenes
And this is one scene that's goin' to be played my way
Take your hands off me, hey
I don't belong to you, you see
And take a look in my face, for the last time,
I never knew you, you never knew me,
Say hello goodbye,
Say hello and wave goodbye
Under the deep red light
I can see the make-up slidin' down
Hey little girl you will always make up
So take off that unbecoming frown
What about me, well, I'll find someone
That's not goin' cheap in the sales
A nice little housewife, who'll give me a steady life
And won't keep going off the rails
Take your hands off me
I don't belong to you, you see
Take a look in my face, for the last time
I never knew you, you never knew me
Say hello goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
We've been involved for quite a while now
And to keep you a secret, has been hell
We're strangers meeting for the first time, ok?
Just smile and say hello
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello, wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello, say goodbye
Goodbye
Say goodbye
Goodbye
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renod2, couldn't disagree more. David Gray has some great numbers on that album but I didn't rate his interpretation of this; I think he oversimplifies it. Like all great artists Marc Almond plays this different each time he performs it, but it's typically full of passion, venom and bitterness about a failed relationship. Other times he seems just plain vindictive and even humourous and mocking. I think it plays on anger and resentment as a way of dealing with the pain of a failed relationship he really wanted to work. After all, he starts the song out by 'crying in the rain', and the 'nice little housewife' line seems sarcastic, as if that's not really what he wants at all. He seems unwillingly resigned to a more boring life after failing to keep up with someone that turned out to be a little too dangerous and exciting for him. I think he's secretly disgusted with himself for not being able to handle this girl, but deals with that by blaming her. I don't know about the hidden gay meaning that others mention, or the suggestion the girl is a prostitute. I just know it's a masterpiece that captures perfectly a complex set of emotions most of us have probably experienced at some point.
Hidden gay meaning? Please. It did/does not exist. No sense to interpret the song since you about covered everything. This band was the epitome of the 1980's.